And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
Parallel translations
- WEB He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- BSB “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- NKJV So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- NASB And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.”
- NLT “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elisha tells his servant not to fear, for their unseen allies outnumber the enemy. It teaches that God's protecting presence outweighs every visible threat.
Overview
Against all appearances, Elisha declares that 'those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' His confidence rests not on visible forces but on the reality of God's heavenly army. The words anchor a recurring biblical assurance that the Lord defends His people against overwhelming odds. They echo the New Testament truth that 'if God is for us, who can be against us?'
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Rom 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- Isa 41:10–14Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- 1 Jn 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 2 Chr 32:7–8Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
- Acts 18:9–10Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
- Exod 14:13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
- Ps 55:18He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
- Isa 8:10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
- Ps 27:3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
- Ps 118:11–12They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
- Matt 26:53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
- Phil 1:28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
- Ps 46:11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- Ps 46:7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- 2 Chr 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
- Isa 8:12–13Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
- Ps 3:6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
- Mark 16:6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
- Ps 11:1In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 6:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.